Fun facts about dairy cows
The dairy farmers across America send many thanks to consumers for buying milk, cheese and other dairy products!
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July has arrived, and soon the Trumbull County Fair will too. The fair begins July 8 and runs through July 13. I am no longer a 4-H advisor, and our children have all aged out of the 4-H program, so even though we are not in the final push to get animals ready to take to the fair, this time of year makes me think of my childhood memories of going to the fair and of growing up on the farm.
I grew up on a dairy farm in northeastern Geauga County. My father was the advisor of my 4-H Club, the Thompson Ledge Dairymen. When I finished third grade, nearly 50 years ago, I was ready to be a member of 4-H and have some fun.
I learned that taking a dairy calf to the fair was a lot of fun, but a lot of work, too. I had to practice leading, of course, but washing cows was no fun. No longer was I allowed to sleep in and come to the fair with my mom on show day. I was up early on those cold, September mornings. We had to get to the fairgrounds early to wash our cows so they would be clean and dry by show time. When my sister was old enough to drive, she was the one in charge on those mornings. I remember Linda being quite the taskmaster.
There was also disappointment during those early years. Most children want to win, whatever the competition. Well, I was no exception. I remember my dad having a talk with me after one particular show day when my heifer and I placed last in our class. He told me to quit crying and to remember that our cows were working girls and the prettiest cows that won the shows didn’t necessarily make a lot of milk. My dad’s breeding program priorities still favored milk production, but when it came to selecting a sire for one of the 4-H animals, “type” was a close second. “Type” is the dairy characteristics that win blue ribbons.
My family and many of my friends know who Betty is. She was the cow that chased my post-show day tears away. She was a good-looking heifer, but after she had her first calf, Joy, she blossomed. She may not have won her class every time, but she was in the top half. Her daughter, Joy, was also a very good-looking cow. Together in the Dam and Daughter class, they were about unbeatable. I showed Betty for seven years in 4-H and Joy for five years.
If you haven’t guessed, these two cows became more like pets to me. They proved themselves by the milk they produced as well as in the show ring. I think my dad would have to admit that they were more than working girls to him, too. I missed them when I went off to college. When I would come home for the weekend, I would always take time to see them. They were generally in the same part of the barn, so they were easy to find and seemed glad to see me, too.
Submitted by Mary Smallsreed, a member of the Trumbull County Farm Bureau and grew up on a family dairy farm in northeast Ohio.
OFBF Mission: Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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